Automatic gas fired incinerator and water heater



E. JOHNSTON May 1, 1934.

AUTOMATIC GAS FIRED INCINERATOR AND WATER HEATER Filed May 15, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fizvezzzfir Win62? May i, 1934. JOHNSTON 1,957,067

AUTOMATIC GAS FIRED INCINERATOR AND WATER HEATER Filed May 15, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 V5 F, x

May I, 1934. E. JOHNSTON AUTOMATIC GAS FIRED INGINERATOR AND WATER HEATER Filed May 13, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 1, 1934 AUTOMATIC GAS FIRED INCINERATOR AND WATER HEATER Edward rlohnston, lhiladelphia, Pa, assignor of one-third to Herbert Cohen, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application May 13, 1933, Serial No. 670,828

8 Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in an automatic gas fired incinerator and water heater, and has for one of its objects to provide an improved apparatus of this character which is simple and inexpensive in its construction, economical to operate and highly efficient in its operation, since it utilizes the heat generated from refuse to assist in raising the temperature in the storage element or water boiler of the device.

Another object of my invention is to provide an incinerator as a part of the apparatus in which the firing of the material placed within said incinerator will be accomplished by a gas burning heating unit, such as a Bunsen burner, said heating unit being so located with relation to a hot Water generator that it will also serve for heating water circulating through the generator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described including an outer casing, an inner fire resisting lining so positioned within the casing as to form air spaces between the lining and casing to prevent undue radiation of heat, and an open work basket-like receptacle through and about which heated air may circulate for drying out the material to be burned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination apparatus, the parts of which are so arranged relative to one another that after the water in the boiler has been raised to a certain predetermined temperature, the supply of gas to the heating unit will be shut off, while any burned refuse will continue to burn and maintain the water in the boiler in a hot condition. When refuse is burning at the same time the heating unit is in operation, the temperature of the water will be quickly raised so that the heating unit will be shut off within a short time after being placed in operation, which will result in a considerable saving in fuel.

Another object of the invention is to so locate the parts of the apparatus that any refuse within the incinerator compartment will be ignited at the time the heating unit is automatically placed in operation due to a decrease in the temperature of the water.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the several parts of the apparatus that the heat generated by the heating element or the burning of the refuse will be conserved and utilized to the greatest possible extent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unique outlet for the smoke and other gaseous products of combustion whereby air will be mixed therewith for diluting the products of combustion to reduce the density of the smoke and any odors.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hot water generator of unique design.

A still further object of the invention is to provide two thermostatic controlled valves in the gas feed line, one of which is caused to function by the temperature of the water in the boiler, while the other is caused to function for opening its valve by the heat from a pilot light.

With these and other ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. l is a section on the line l-1 of Fig. 2, with some of the parts left in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with boiler and the water and gas connections left in elevation.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of the hot water generator and heating unit.

Fig. 4 is a broken fragmentary sectional view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, of the hot water generator only.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation or face view of one of the grate elements.

Fig. '7 is an end view of another of the grate elements.

Fig. 8 is an edge view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 10 is a broken View partly in section and partly in elevation of the thermostatic control connected with the hot water boiler and illustrated partly in section and partly in elevation.

Fig. 11 is a similar view of another thermostatic control which is used in connection with the pilot light.

In carrying out my invention as herein embodied, 15 represents a casing of any suitable material, although I prefer to use sheet metal having the exterior surface enameled to present a neat appearance and provide a smooth surface which may be readily kept clean, and this casing is preferably mounted upon suitable legs or supports 16.

Within the casing, about the four sides thereof is a lining 17 of fire resisting material which extends from the bottom of the casing to a location short of the top or" the casing, but preferably slightly above the hot water boiler which will be later described. Said lining is spaced from all of the side walls of the casing, thereby providing air spaces 18, all of which lead to the smoke stack 19 which is connected with a chimney or leads to some other place of disposal.

A short inner section of pipe 26 leads from the upper portion of the chamber formed by the lining 17 and therefore passes through said lining across one of the air spaces 18 and projects into the smoke stack 19 as plainly shown in Fig. 2, forming a conduit for smoke or products of combustion from the space inside of the lining to the smoke stack, which conduit is surrounded by an air passageway produced by the spacing of the smaller inner section of pipe 20 from the larger smoke stack 19.

In what I term the front of the apparatus is provided a door frame structure 21 mounted in the casing and the lining and bridging the air space there-between, and this door frame forms a feed or supply opening 22 which is normally closed by the feed door 23.

At the bottom of the aperture is mounted a frame 24 which coincides with openings in the front wall of the casing and the adjacent wall of the lining to produce an ash pit opening or doorway leading to the ash pit in which an ash draw 25 may be located.

On top of the lining end walls is mounted a hot water boiler 26 of any suitable construction although preferably of tubular or circular formation similar to ordinary household hot water boilers and about this boiler, or at least a portion thereof, is placed a shield 2'7 which is eccentric to the circular part of the boiler so that a chamber is formed between the shield and the boiler which chamber is considerably wider at the top of the boiler than at the sides thereof. In other words, the shield is so mounted that its lower ends are closer to the walls of the boiler than that part of said shield which overlies the top of the boiler.

The shield is mounted upon the side walls oi the lining, and from the edges of the shield extend inwardly projecting flanges 28 which coact with the circular walls of the boiler and since said flanges coincide with the end walls of the lining, the shield and lining practically form one completely enclosed chamber, and the space between the shield and the ends of the boiler may be filled with suitable heat insulating material 29.

A hot water generator 30 is mounted on suitable brackets 31 secured to the end fire brick walls and said hot water generator includes a hollow angular body providing a concave bottom wall 32 and oppositely inclined top walls 33 which meet along the longitudinal center of the generator. Within the body, longitudinally thereof, between the top and bottom Walls is formed a partition 34 running from what I term the front end to a point adjacent the rear end and by terminating short of the rear wall, a communicating passageway 35 is provided between the circulating compartments 36 and 37. In the front end wall of the generator so as to communicate with the Water circulating compartment 36 is an inlet opening 38, and at the same end of the generator leading from the circulating compartment 37 is an outlet opening 39, while in the rear wall is formed a drain outlet opening 40 which communicates with the passageway 35.

A number of holes 41 are formed through the generator from the bottom to the top walls thereof which are formed partly by producing hollow pillars 42 within the body of the generator.

A gas burner 43 which constitutes the heating unit and is preferably of the Bunsen burner type has a tubular body 44 with a hollow rib 45 running longitudinally along the top thereof, and inclined holes 46 are formed in the side walls of said hollow rib so that the flames from said burner will be projected slightly outwardly and upwardly toward the concave bottom wall 32 of the hot water generator to which the burner is connected by brackets 47 or other equivalent hangers.

A spigot 48 or other suitable valve may be connected with the drain outlet 40 of the hot water generator for drawing oil the water from said generator to remove accumulations of sediment.

A gas supply pipe 49 leading from a source of supply enters a valve chamber in the thermostatic control 50 on one side of the valve 51, Fig. 10, through the inlet 52, and when the valve is in an open position the gas may flow from said chamber through the outlet 53 to a pipe 54.

The pipe 54 leads to the inlet opening 55 communicating with the valve chamber of the thermostatic control device 56, Fig. 11, at one side of the valve 57 and from said valve chamber at the other side of the valve leads an outlet 58 to the burner or heating unit 31.

It might be well to state at this time that the particular arrangement of the inlets and outlets to and from the valve chambers do not have to be in the relation shown and described and may be changed in any way that is best suitable for connection with the several pipes.

The thermostatic control 56 includes a thermal element 59 suitably connected with the valve 57 so that when said thermal element is cold, the

valve 57 will be closed to prevent a flow of gas to the burner, but when heated by the pilot flame issuing from the pilot burner 60, which is fed with gas through the by-pass pipe 49a, the valve 57 will be opened so that gas can flow to the burner when turned on at a primary control point. The

pilot burner 66 is enclosed in a tube 61 in order to reduce to a minimum the likelihood of the same being blown out by drafts, but the flame issuing from said pilot burner will impinge against the thermal element and be projected to a point in proximity to one or some of the burner holes 46 so that when gas is flowing from the burner of the heating unit, the same will be ignited.

In a similar manner the thermal element 62 of the thermostatic control 50 is connected with the a valve 51 so that when said thermal element reaches a predetermined high temperature the valve 51 will be closed to stop the fiow of gas to the burner or heating unit, and when said thermal element has cooled to a predetermined low temperature, said valve 51 will be opened so that the heating unit will be supplied with gas providing the pilot flame is burning properly.

The thermal element 62 is enclosed in a tubular casing 63, which casing includes a T or other suitable fitting 64 and projects into the hot water boiler 26 near the bottom thereof, and with said fitting is connected a water supply pipe 65 lead ing from a source of water supply to the boiler for replenishing the contents as any part of said contents is withdrawn. This particular arrangement of the water inlet and the thermostatic control will provide for the quick operation of said thermostatic control due to a change of temperature of the water in the boiler.

An outlet or draw-off pipe 66 leads from the upper part of the boiler 26.

The inlet pipe 6'7 of the water circulation leads from the lower part of the boiler 26 to the inlet opening 38 of the hot water generator and from the outlet 39 of said generator leads a pipe 68 to the upper part of the hot water boiler and includes an extension 69 which projects to a point in close proximity to the end of the boiler opposite where said return pipe enters said boiler.

Mounted in the apparatus below the hot water generator is a bottom grate '70 including widely spaced grate bars '71 and '72 connected by curved connecting bars 73 adjacent the ends of the grate bars, the said connecting bars passing underneath the heating unit. Said bottom grate with the hot water generator forms the bottom of the open work receptacle or basket grate, and said bottom grate is slidable transversely for dislodging the accumulation of ashes. For purposes of illustration, I have shown the bottom grate '70 provided with an eye 74 to which may be attached a shaker bar '75 which extends through holes in the walls of the lining and casing of the apparatus.

A front grate '76 is mounted in an inclined position between the front wall of the lining just below the feed door 22 and a line adjacent the forward edge of the bottom grate, while a back grate 77 is mounted in an inclined position from a point adjacent the rear edge of the bottom grate to a location on the back wall of the lining adjacent the smoke outlet, and in front of the inner end of the smoke outlet within the apparatus is mounted a baffle plate 78 which prevents a direct flow of heated air and smoke into the smoke stack.

With all of the parts in position as above described, the interior of the apparatus might be said to be divided into an ash pit which is below the grates and wherein the ash door is located; a refuse receptacle bounded by the several grates, and the boiler compartment above the refuse receptacle and where the hot water boiler is located.

The air spaces 18 in addition to preventing undue radiation of heat also provide passageways for fresh air to dilute the vaporous or gaseous products of combustion and therefore said air passageways 18 have inlets 79 leading thereto, preferably through the bottom wall of the apparatus casing.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that if the water in the boiler is cold and the pilot light is lit, the thermostatic control will operate to open the valve 51 and permit gas to flow to the heating unit, which gas will be lit immediately by said pilot light. The heat from the heating unit will raise the temperature of the water in the hot water generator 30 causing water to circulate from the boiler through said hot water generator and back to the boiler, and at such time as the water in the boiler reaches a predetermined high temperature, the thermostatic element 62 will cause the valve 51 to close,

thereby shutting off the supply of gas to the heating unit.

If at the time the heating unit is placed in operation, if there is any refuse in the basket-like receptacle formed by the several grates, flames from the heating unit will project through the holes 41 in the hot water generator and ignite said refuse. The heat coming from the burning refuse will assist in raising the temperature in the boiler, since it will be directed into the space between the boiler and the shield 27, being prevented from entering directly into the smoke stack because of the bafile 78. With the heat coming from both the burning refuse and the heating unit, the temperature of the water in the boiler will be raised very quickly and the supplyof gas will be shut off, thus reducing the use of said gas to a minimum. Should the amount of refuse be so great that it will continue burning after the gas supply has been turned off, it will maintain the water in the boiler at or close to the desired temperature, so that the gas will only have to be used at long intervals. This is particularly true where the device is used by storekeepers having a considerable amount of refuse to dispose of during working hours.

In summing up, I wish to call attention to the fact that because of the shape of the hot water generator 30, the air being heated by the heating unit will be retarded in its flow from the cavity in the bottom of the hot water generator, giving time for an excellent transfer of the heat to the water and the heating surface is considerably increased by the hollow pillars 42, and as the heated air flows past the hot water generator it will rise and enter the chamber which partially surrounds the boiler 26. From the heating chamber, the air flows downward and then into the smoke stack through the short section of pipe 20 where it will be mixed with clean fresh air flowing through the air spaces 18 into the stack, thus diluting the products of combustion to reduce the density of the smoke and the obnoxiousness of the odor.

The oppositely inclined top walls of the generator cause any ash falling thereon to slide off the same and thence through the bottom grate into the ash pit. Said hot water generator with the grates form the basket-like receptacle or fire pot wherein the refuse is placed, and if said refuse is too wet to burn at once, it will be gradually dried out by heated air passing through and around it as said air circulates through the grates. When the refuse is suiilciently dry to be burned, it will be ignited by the flames from the heating unit substantially simultaneously with the lighting of said heating unit which is accomplished automatically when the temperature in the water boiler reaches a predetermined low point and the pilot light is burning.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the eX- act details of construction herein shown and described as these may be varied within the limits of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what through one wall of the casing only to provide i communication with the air chambers, a short section of pipe of smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the stack mounted in a wall of the lining and projecting into said stack to form a communication between the space L bounded by the lining and the stack, a hot water boiler supported on the upper edges of a pair of the walls of the lining, a shield supported by the other walls of the lining and partially surrounding the boiler to form a heat chamber, a hot wa- Lbs ter generator supported in the lower part of the chamber formed by the walls of the lining, a bottom grate supported adjacent the hot water genorator and forming therewith the bottom of a refuse recep tacle, inclined grates extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom grate and resting against adjacent walls of the lining, said inclined grates and the other walls of the lining forming the balance of the refuse receptacle, water connections between the boiler and hot Water generator, a supply pipe leading to. the boiler, a draw-off pipe connected with the boiler, a heating unit underlying the hot water generator and supported thereby, a gas supply pipe for the heating unit, a thermostatic control inserted in said gas pipe and associated with the feed water pipe leading to the boiler for controlling the gas supply by the temperature of the water in the boiler, another thermostatic control inserted in the gas supply pipe adjacent the burner, a pilot burner connected with the last named thermostatic control whereby the gas supply to the burner may be controlled at a second location, and a by-pass for supplying gas to the pilot burner.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, in combination with a bafile plate disposed across the inner end of the short section of pipe leading to the stack.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a housing including an inner lining of fire resistant material and a circular shield supported on the walls of the lining, a hot water boiler also supported on the walls of the lining eccentric to the shield whereby the space between the top portion of the boiler and the shield is wider than the space between the sides of the boiler and said shield, an open work receptacle including two inclined portions supported in the lower part of the housing, a hot water generator supported within the bottom of the receptacle and connected with the boiler, a gas burning heating unit carried by the generator, a pilot burning adjacent the heating unit, means controlled by the pilot burner for controlling the heating unit under certain conditions, and means controlled by the temperature of the water in the boiler for also controlling the operation of the heating unit.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a casing, a lining in the lower portion of said casing, the walls of which are spaced from the walls of said casing to provide an air space, the bottom of said casing having air inlets leading to the air space, a stack leading from the upper part of the air space, a short section of pipe leading from the compartment formed by the walls of the lining into the stack, said pipe being spaced from the surrounding part of the stack to permit passage of air from the air space into the stack for mixture with products of combustion issuing from the short section of pipe and also entering the stack, a boiler within the casing supported on top of the lining, a receptacle for refuse below the boiler, and a heating unit in the bottom of said receptacle and connected with the boiler and for igniting any refuse in the receptacle, the burning of which will assist in heating the water in the boiler.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a housing, a boiler in said housing, a refuse receptacle in said housing below the boiler, a hot water generator supported at the bottom of said receptacle and connected with the boiler, said generator including a concaved bottom wall, and a burner supported by said generator partially within the cavity formed by the concaved bottom wall.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a housing, a boiler in said housing, a refuse receptacle in said housing below the boiler, a hot water generator supported at the bottom of said receptacle and connected with the boiler, said generator including a concaved bottom wall and opposite inclined top walls with hollow pillars etween them forming holes through the generator, and a burner supported by said generator partially within the cavity formed by the concaved bottom wall.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a housing, a boiler in said housing, a refuse receptacle in said housing below the boiler, a hot water generator supported at the bottom of said receptacle and connected with the boiler, said generator consisting of a hollow body with a concaved bottom wall and oppositely inclined top walls and having an inlet and an outlet opening at one end, a longitudinal partition within the body extending from the end having the inlet and outlet openings therein to a point short of the opposite end leaving a communication passageway between the two chambers produced by said partition, a drain opening leading from the communicating passageway, hollow pillars within said body forming holes from the bottom to the top walls through said body, and a burner supported by said generator with a portion thereof within the cavity formed by the concaved bottom wall.

8. In an apparatus of the character described,

a housing, a boiler in said housing, a refuse re- I ceptacle in said housing below the boiler, a hot water generator supported at the bottom of said receptacle and connected with the boiler, said receptacle including a bottom grate consisting of grate bars spaced a distance equal to approximately to the width of the generator, and curved connecting bars joined with said grate bars, said bottom grate being slidably supported whereby it may be oscillated to dislodge ashes.

EDWARD JOHNSTON. 

